Glen Hansard, the Irish singer-songwriter who went from busking in Dublin to Oscar success, has died after a motorcycle crash in Dublin. He was 56.
The fatal single-vehicle crash happened in Chapelizod, west of Dublin’s CBD, just before 4:30am on Wednesday local time, according to the Irish Times. Gardai said it were called to the scene in the early hours of Wednesday. A man was treated there but was soon pronounced dead.
Hansard’s management confirmed his death in a statement, reports The New York Post.
“With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard who passed away, in the early hours of this morning, following a road traffic accident in Dublin,” the statement read.
“Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.
“The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene.
“As this matter remains the subject of an active (police) investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.”
An online book of condolence has been opened on the Dublin City Council website following the news.
Hansard was a married father of one who began performing on the streets of his native Dublin before rising to prominence with influential Irish band The Frames in 1990, where he served as lead singer. He later formed folk duo The Swell Season with Marketa Irglova, his Once co-star and fellow Oscar winner.
Hansard and Irglova won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 for Falling Slowly, their duet from the indie film Once. The low-budget romantic musical was shot on camcorders and centres on a street musician who falls in love with a young Czech immigrant.
The story later moved to the stage. In 2012, Once became a Broadway show built around Hansard’s songs and won eight Tony award including Best Musical.
His screen career also included Alan Parker’s 1991 film The Commitments, in which he played guitarist Outspan Foster. Hansard was also the original host of Irish public broadcaster RTE’s Other Voices, a live music program that first aired in 2002.
Tributes quickly followed his death. Irish taoiseach Michael Martin said Hansard was “a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years”.
Former president Michael D Higgins said the news brought him “deep sadness”.
He said Hansard was “a wonderful musician and performer, a troubadour whose gift for storytelling brought so much joy to audiences across the world”.
Mr Higgins also pointed to Hansard’s long commitment to helping struggling people, saying, “This work drove his annual Christmas Eve busk, which raised money for those suffering from homelessness and related causes at Christmas”.
